Method of erecting a steel storage tank and the like



May 23, 1961 SVEN'ERIK V. SVENSSON METHOD OF ERECTING A STEEL STORAGETANK AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 10, 1958 FIG.1

4 Sheets-Sheet l SVEN-ERIK v. SVENSSON 2,984,898

May 23, 1961 METHOD OF ERECTING A STEEL STORAGE TANK AND THE LIKE FiledFeb. 10, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ll'cven tor :15. l/ffivensaon May 23 1961SVEN-ERIK v. svENssoN 2,

METHOD OF ERECTING A STEEL STORAGE TANK AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 10, 1958FIG.5

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 y 1951 SVEN-ERIK v. SVENSSON 2,984,898

METHOD OF ERECTING A STEEL STORAGE TANK AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed Feb. 10, 1958 5 8 A Mw United States Patent METHOD OF ERECTING ASTEEL STORAGE TANK AND THE LIKE Sven-Erik Vilhelm Svensson, Lidingo,Sweden, assignor to AB Byggforbattring, Stockholm, Sweden, a joint stockcompany of Sweden Filed Feb. 10, 1958, Ser. No. 714,233

Claims priority, application Sweden Feb. 13, 1957 2 Claims. (Cl. 29-429)This invention relates to a method and devices for erecting wallconstructions built up from edgewise erected elements or parts ofconstructions, preferably of sheet metal, the wall in a principallyknown way erected from below, element by element, the said elementsconnected to each other, for example by welding, and the thus completedpart of the wall being lifted stepwise by means of lifting jacks orsimilar lifting devices to such position that the next element canbefitted from below. This erection method has among others the followingadvantage that the fitting of the elements etc. and the joining isalways carried out on the ground, whereby a troublesome and time wastinglifting of the various elements to heights successively increasingduring operation is avoided and all scafiolding work for this erectingis superfluous. However, in the case on an annular metal sheet tankadequate working space must be provided around the outside of the tankon the ground and at some length upward as required for carrying out ofthe various operations for example fitting and joining and the outwardwelding. Normally, for instance for tanks placed in the open air abovethe ground surface this working space is already provided. If howeverthe tank is placed in a rock for which purpose the necessary outsideworking space must be provided by rock blasting, considerable additionalcosts are caused by the blasting operation. Should, besides, aftercompletion of the sheet metal tank the space around the tank beween thesheet wall and the rock be filled with concrete it is economicallyimportant to minimize said space in order to reduce the concreteconsumption.

It is among other the object of the invention to facilitate the methodset forth above to fit elements from below successively and to lift thewall part after completion sectionwise in a blasted rock area with aslittle blasting work required as possible or at other places where forsome reason the outward space is or must be limited.

The invention is substantially characterized in that the sectionwiselifting of the successively completed wall part (construction) iscarried out with one or several lifting devices (e.g. hydraulic orpneumatic jack or jacks provided with screw or tooth and pinion, orsimilar jack elements) placed in such positions in relation to theconstruction to be lifted that the construction hangs centrically inorder to be horizontally rotated or turned if so required. The mostsimple of such cases is, for instance, that preferably a hydrauliclifting jack climbs along a vertical climbing rod or climbing wire andthat the construction to be lifted at its point of suspension to thelifting jack is provided with, for instance, a ball bearing. As therebyafter the fitting of the various element parts the whole constructioncan be rotated or turned, consequently all erecting work as well ascontrols can be concentrated to one or possibly several places on acertain horizontal area, usually the ground area. It is only at thisplace (these places) that outward working space is required.

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The invention is of particular importance when the erection of sheetmetal tanks in rocks is concerned but is, of course, also applicable forother construction types. However, in order to make clear the principleof the invention the following description of an embodiment refers to atank placed in a rock.

In this description the term annular sections denotes cylindrical ringswhich when assembled make up a circular tank or the like, and the termplate elements denote elements which are of sheet metal and are joinedtogether in each annular section and to the plate elements of anothersection above and below as described.

Of the accompanying schematic drawings l-8 Fig. 1 shows a space blastedout of a rock the roof structure of the tank mounted on the bottom areaand the lifting device installed. Fig. 2 shows the roof lifted to theheight of the first section which will be the uppermost one. Fig. 3shows the joining of the uppermost sheet elements to the roof and tothemselves whereby the completed construction part is successivelyrotated. Fig. 4 shows a horizontal section through the rock space abovethe tank roof along the line 1VIV in Fig. 3. In Fig. 5 the roof. withthe uppermost annular section fixed below is lifted up a step and thenearest section is under joining in the same way as shown in Fig. 3.Fig. 6 shows the roof and the two uppermost sections lifted up forjoining of a following element. In Fig. 7 the annular sections arelifted up to final position with all elements mounted, and the tankwalls fixed to the tank bottom. A possibly necessary concrete fillingbetween tank and rock is already carried out. Fig. 8, finally, shows thelower part of the rock space, the various Wall parts not being mountedby means of the rotating construction but by using a centrally fixedcart for transport of the wall parts to the place of assembly.

The embodiments illustrated by the figures are provided with thefollowing reference numerals, 1 indicating the climbing rod or wire, 2resp. 3 the anchorings fixed in the roof or bottom of the rock, 4 resp.5 the stretching devices (possibly simultaneously the height adjustingdevices) in the roof and bottom, 6 indicating the suspension device ofthe hanger for the tank roof 14 via the lifting bars 7. 8 indicates thelifting device (for instance one or several hydraulic lifting jacksplaced linearly along the climbing rod) and 9 the rotation bearing (ballbearing, roller bearing) (possibly with a lowering screw). 10 indicatesthe centering rod for the climbing pole and 11 resp. 12 the rock pin andfastening device for the same. 13 indicates the stretching device(tension shackle) for centering of the climbing pole, 15 the Workingplace for mounting and other work (for instance the mouth of the tunnel.16, 17 and 18 indicate plate elements ready joined together in theuppermost i.e. the first annular section, 19 indicates another plateelement next to be fixed in this section and 29 (Fig. 5) designates thecompletely mounted uppermost annular section, 21, 22 and 23 designatethe joined elements of the second annular section, 24 a plate element tothis section which element is ready to be mounted, 25 (Fig. 6)designates the second completed annular section, i.e. next to theuppermost'and 25 (Fig. 7) the completed lowest annular section next tothe bottom. 27 designates the possibly necessary concrete filling and 28the form work for concrete casting at the place of assembly, 29 a rotaryconcrete pocket for distribution of concrete, 30 a possible tunnel mouthat the top, 31 (Figs. 5 and 6) device (manually or motor operated) forrotating of the construction. 32 the cart for lifting and transport ofthe wall element 33 (Fig. 8), 34 a mounted plate element. 35 designatesplate elements in store, 36 backing rollers (Figs. 3, 5, 6), 37 (Fig. l)a working platform to be lifted and lowered and 38 (Fig. 5) poles forpossible stiffening of the climbing rod to resist breaking. 39designates a gliding fastener around the climbing rod and 40 astretching device, both the latter in connection with 38.

In the present-example the tank is built in the follow: ing manner: Onan already prepared, substantially plain base plate the tank roof 14 ismade complete with possibly lifting poles 7 and hanger 6 around theclimbing rod (climbing wire) previously mounted and equipped withfasteners 2 and/or 3 including the stretching devices 4 and 5. Themounting of the climbing rod is possibly carried out by means of theworking platform 37. Thereafter the lifting device (lifting jacks) 8 andthe bearing 9 are fixed. For precise centering of the climbing rod forinstance three centering rods 10 with the stretching devices 13 and afastening device 12 for the rock pins 11 previously positioned arepossibly attached. Through force impulses to the lifting device (forinstance from an electric oil pressure pump for the hydraulic liftjacks)said device is caused to raise along the climbing rod thus lifting theroof structure of the tank. When lifting has been carried out to aheight corresponding to the height of the uppermost wall section(uppermost annular frame) the lifting device is stayed (see Fig. 2). nthe working place 15 (see Fig. 3) the wall element 16 is then fitted toand for instance by welding joined with the roof structure of the tank,the thus completed section then to be rotated so much that the element17 can be fitted and welded on the same Working place where also theoutward welding can now be performed. The elements 18, 19 and followingof the uppermost ring are handled in the same way until the whole frameis completed. The welding control for instance by means of a stationaryapparatus for X-rays, is also carried out on the working place 15.Thereafter the roof with the uppermost annular section attached islifted again in the same way as before so that the wall elements 21,2.2, 23, 24 and following can be fitted and welded (see Fig. in the sameway as described before. In order to facilitate the rotation procedure,a manually or motor operated rotary device 31 is now possibly to beinstalled either fixed in the rock wall or on a firm stand and back ingrollers 36 (resilient) placed on the ground. After completion of thenext element ring 25 the centering rod with fasteners and stretchingdevices is probably lifted a suitable distance upward to the next seriesof rock pins previously fixed and the stiifener 38 with fastener 39 andstretching device 40 possibly attached and a new lifting up (Fig. 6) iscarried out. The same process is repeated until the lowermost annularsection 26 is joined with the next one situated above. For connectionand welding of the bottom plate to the thus completed tank wall thelatter is lowered to contact with the bottom plate by means of alowering screw at the rotary bearing 9 or of the lifting device 8 or bymeans of the stretching devices 4 fixed to the roof.

If a concrete filling between tank wall and rocket is planned it can nowbe carried out by means of for instance a rotary concrete pocketprovided on the roof after placing of the necessary form work at theWorking place (Fig. 7). The concrete material can be delivered forinstance through the tunnel mouth 30. In order to counteract the outsidepressure of the concrete against the sheet wall it is recommendedsuccessively to fill the tank with water so that water and castingsurface are on the same level. The risk of deformations of the wallsheets due to the pressure of the concrete is thus reduced which isespecially important in case of thin or plane or only slightly curvedwalls. Thereafter, the climbing rod, liftjacks, suspensions, liftingpoles etc. can be dismantled possibly by means of the working platform37.

If the lifting process is carried out according to the method describedbefore with the modification, however, that the completed part of theconstruction is not at all or only partly rotated, a rotary cart 32 isprovided on 4 the tank bottom equipped with lifting device for thetransport of the plate elements to their positions. In Fig. 8 such anarrangement is demonstrated showing one element 34 mounted, one element33 during transport and element 35 on store.

The method allows also the application of several climbing rods(climbing wires) or several lifting devices which, however, must beplaced symmetrically around a centre around which the rotation (turning)occurs. It is likewise possible to use one or several liftblocks,telphers or similar devices suspended in the rock roof or in anotherrigid superstructure.

The following new effects and advantages are gained by this invention:

The whole operation concerning fitting and joining of the elements canbe carried out at only one working place (possibly at two or several iflarger constructions are concerned), whereby the working space requiredat the outside of a wall is reduced to a The welding work for joiningthe plate elements of for instance a tank placed in rock can be carriedout not only on the inside but also on the outside of the walls withoutrequiring a special workers path to be blasted out of the rock along theoutside of the tank.

The transport of the elements to the place of assembly is simplified.

A possible X-ray control of the weld joints is simplified andfacilitated by stationary placing of the X-ray apparatus.

During the lifting process the climbing rod (climbing wire) acts also asa central steering column. The lifting process is carried out in thecentre by means of a lifting device (liftjacks) placed in such a waythat the sections after completion hang freely not being subjected tooutside forces, whereby the fitting of the elements is facilitated.

The lifting process requires only one liftjack, e.g. of hydraulic type,which automatically continuously climbing along the climbing rod takesthe constructional part upward requiring a minimum of equipment and timewithout any repeat. The method can be applied to tanks withself-supporting walls as well as to such with a concrete filling betweenthe walls and the rock and also for other construction types of notnecessarily annular form.

The lifting method can also be carried out without rotation (turning).

What I claim is:

1. A method of erecting a steel storage tank and the like having a topsection and a plurality of horizontal wall sections, comprising thesteps of mounting a centrally located vertical guide means, forming thetop section of the tank on the ground surface, applying a rotatablebearing means at the center of the top section about the vertical guidemeans, mounting a lifting means on the vertical guide means cooperablewith the rotatable bearing means, imparting a lifting movement to thecenter of the top section by the lifting means to move said top sectiona sutficient height above the ground surface to permit the positioningof at least one horizontal wall section below the top section,positioning a first steel plate of such wall section and joining itsupper edge to the lower edge of the top plate, rotating the thus con1-pleted top section and horizontal wall section a suflicient peripheraldistance for positioning a second steel plate from the same location asthe first steel plate, joining the second steel plate to the lower edgeof the top section and to the free edge of the first steel plate,repeating the rotation and joining steps until the steel plates of saidwall section are positioned and joined, imparting a second liftingmovement to the center of the top section by said lifting means untilsaid top section and horizontal wall section are a sufficient heightabove the ground surface to allow the positioning of the next horizontalwall section, repeating the steps of positioning and join- 2,984,898 5ing the steel plates, rotating and lifting said sections ReferencesCited in the file of this patent until all desired horizontal wallsections are completed, UNITED STATES PATENTS lowering said sections toa point whereby the lower edge of the lowermost horizontal wall sectioncontacts a bot- 1558419 White 1925 2,605,540 Kroll et a1. Aug. 5, 1952tom plate on the ground surface, JOllllHg such wall sec 5 2 670 818 H kM 2 1954 tion to the bottom plate, and dismounting the lifting 2866261 i1958 means, rotatable bearing means and vertical guide means. c

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, including the OTHER REFERENCES p oferecting Said tank Within an Opening in the ground EngineeringNews-Record, Feb. 14, 1957, pages 26 and and applying a concrete fillingbetween the horizontal 1o 27 relied on. (Copy in Scientific Library andDivision wall sections and the wall of the opening. 14.)

